A WHITBURN man has been sentenced to nearly a year in prison after being twice caught stealing red-handed.

Gordon Harper (22) broke into newsagents W F Davidson in Bathgate on July 1 and attempted to steal a model car and racetrack.

While on bail Harper was then caught stealing items from a detached garage and caravan at an address in East Main Street in Whitburn on October 25.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard last week that police officers arrived in Jarvey Street in Bathgate shortly after 2.30am after receiving word that someone was trying to break into one of the shops on the street.

The metal shutters of the shop had been forced open and windows smashed.

When officers arrived they found items which had been stolen outside on the pavement.

Harper, whose address was given as Whitedalehead Road in Whitburn, then climbed out of the window of the shop where officers were waiting.

The value of the stolen property was £80 and the owner of the newsagents had estimated that the repair of the shutters and windows would cost £3000.

On October 25, Harper was again caught by police after being involved with someone else in a break-in at a detached garage and caravan at a property in Whitburn.

Harper had tried to leave the area but police had been called and gave chase after items had fallen out of his clothing. He was found in possession of garden twine and other items.

At the scene cops found a hammer wrapped in a sock along with a chisel and rucksack.

Other stolen items recovered when Harper ran from police included a wheelbarrow, laundry basket, frozen goods and dog food. A knife was also found in Harper’s pocket and all these items were returned to the owner.

The total value of the items stolen was £510 and only £20 worth was not recovered.

His solicitor Kevin Dugan said Harper had a major alcohol problem and that neither incident was pre-planned.

He said: “Some people commit offences like these for reasons such as a heroin habit but he seems to have blundered into both matters.

“In the first matter he saw something in the shop and he wanted it for his nephew. There was no financial gain for him in this. In the second incident he can’t even remember the other man’s name and somehow got involved.

“He has a major alcohol problem although he has never seriously accepted that. He is not a heroin addict or looking to pursue a career in dishonesty.

“He doesn’t have a lengthy record of housebreaking.

“He was caught quickly because he was so drunk and that shows that these incidents were not pre-planned.”

“He has now settled down with his girlfriend and she has been a major help to him. “

Jailing Harper for ten and a half months Sheriff Douglas Kinloch told him: “These are quite serious charges and you have a previous conviction for theft by housebreaking.

“You broke into the shop and caused about £3000 worth of damage. Someone will have to pay.

“Despite awaiting sentence for theft by housebreaking and being on bail you went out and started stealing again – that really shows the disregard you have for the courts.”